Egg carton



March 10, 1936. s; BERGSTEM 4.2,033,222

EGG CARTON Filed April l, 1952A 5 Sheets-Sheejz-l INVENTOR,

ATTORNEY.

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4 March 10, 1936. l SBERGSTEIN 2,033,222,

`EGG CARTON Filed April l, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR ATTORNEYS' March 10, 1936. 5 BERGs'l-Em 2,033,222

EGG CARTON Fild April 1, 1932 :s sheets-sheet 5 l N VEN TOR YW @yam l Patented Mar. l0, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENTy OFFICE EGG oAm'oN Samuel Bergstein, Cincinnati, Ohio Application April 1, 1932,seria1No. 602,41s

- b1': claims. (c1.22929) My invention relates to containers for fragile articles. An object is to provide a container of that character in which the articles will be effectively cushioned and which will have itsstructural parts mutually sustaining so as to afford ample rigidity of the container as a whole and to hold the articles as securely as possible against displacement within the container. A further object is to manufacture the containers inexpensively, preferably to make containers which may be produced on high speed machinery with a minimum of waste of material,

The invention is more especially concerned with the packing of eggs in the usual packages of one dozen eggs each, and with'the eggs, as usual, in two rows of six eggs each, with a partition between the rows and partitions between the eggs of a row. It will be understood, however, that variations may occur in the number and arrangernent of the articles 'in a container, and

that the containers may be made according to my invention for the packing of articles other than eggs.

. tainer therefrom, and at the same time holding the inner structure and its contents firmly in this spaced relation and causing it to amply support the spaced walls of the outer container against yielding or crushing under outside impacts.

A further object is to make each container from a single cut and folded sheet with such attachments of parts of a sheet to each other as are necessary to sustain the container in set-up condition, readymade with the container in collapsed or knock'down condition, so that the container may be set up by a very simple manual operation.

A further object is to have the inner container or partition structure so made that the partitions between articles may be brought into voperative positions, and preferably locked in said-positions,

by very simple operations, preferably by the act of insertion of the articles between the partitions.

A further object is to provide each compartment at its top with :diagonal article-bracing edges at opposite corners, so that an article, such as an egg, which is of reduced width from its middle upward, in its position in the compartment, is held not only by the partitions and container wall at its middle larger part, but by these bracing edges in its upper part, so that it is held from tilting in'its compartment in a direction laterally of the row of articles.

Further objects will appear in thecourse of the 5 following description, which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a, plan of the cut and scored blank from which the inner container is to be formed, the scores being indicated by broken lines;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the blank folded and with the attachments of its 'parts made, in collapsed or knockdown condition, ready to be set up foruse; 4 n

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the plane o1' the line 15 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the outer container set up with its coveri open, and the inner container set up and placed above the open top of the outer container ready to be inserted there- 20 in, a portion of the nearer sidewall of the inner container being broken away to reveal interior construction; A

Fig.` 5 is a vertical cross section of the outer container and the inner container therein and 25 the cover of the outer container closed, the section being on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner container partially set up;

Fig. 7 is a plan of the cut and scored blank 30 from which the outer container is to be formed, the scores being indicated by broken lines and intermediate parts of the blank being omitted for lack of space; and

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the same blank folded 35 and with the attachments of its parts made, in collapsed or knock-down condition, ready to be set up for use. v

As shown in Fig. 1, the blank for the inner container I is approximately a rectangular sheet with 40 certain projections at its ends as will be explained: the short dimension of the sheet being considered as its length, as this is the lengthwise direction of the completed container. This sheet has the longitudinal median score line 2, 45 symmetrical to which, at each end, is a short 'rectangular projection 3. In eachside of each projection 3 there preferablyis a small notch t.

In succession outwardly from the median line 2,'in

both lateral directions, are four score lines 5, 6, 1,

and 8, parallel with the median score line 2. The parts of the blank between the median linel 2 and the first additional lines 5 are the' inner walls 9 which collectively are to form a middle lengthwise partition. The parts between lines 5 55 and 8 are tlie bottoms I8. Arranged along the middle of the width of each bottom I8 is a Aseries of slots I I, two of these' slots being close to the right and lefthand ends, respectively, of the bottom I8, and the other five slots being spaced at equal intervals between the end slots.

'I'he parts between the lines 8 and 1 are the outer side walls, I2, and between the lines 1 and 8 are the parts to extend across from these outer walls I2 to the inner walls 9. On the lines 1 and 8 are cuts I3 in transversely alined pairs, the right hand ends of the cuts of each pair being alined with a respective slot II ofIl the bottom I8. From the left hand ends of the cuts of each pair, cuts I4 converge to the left to join respective side parts of a cut I5 of the shape of a wide and shallow U with its bottom to the left. The junctions of each U-shaped cut I5 with the converging cuts I4 are substantially in transverse alinement with the right ends of the next cuts- I3, and transverse score lines I6 extend from these junctions with these ends of the cuts I3, leaving triangularparts I1 between the diagonal cuts I4 and the lines 1 or 8 and the lines I6. The parts between sets of U-shaped cuts I5 and converging cuts I4 are the partitions I8. 'I'he triangular parts I1 form the junctions of these partitions I8 with. the side walls 9 and I2. 'I'he U-shaped cuts I5 leave tabs I9 on the bottom edges of the partitions I8 and recesses 28 in their tops.

At the right hand end of the blank, transverse score lines 2| join the right hand ends of the terminal cuts I3, and the parts between these lines 2I and the next sets of diagonal cuts I4 and U-shaped cuts I5 are the end walls 22,. whichhave tabs 23 left on their bottom edges by the U-shaped cuts I5, these cuts leaving recesses 28 in the tops of the adjacent partitions I8. At the left end. of the blank are projections with their sides alined with the lines 1 and 8, and short cuts I3a extend from these sides along the lines 1 and 8 to the adjacent transverse score lines I8. .The outer ends of these projections are shaped the same as the ends of the partitions I8 and end walls 22 are shaped by the diagonal cuts I4 and U-shaped cuts I5.,'and from the score lines I 6 outward, thus form the other end walls 24, with bottom tabs 25. Th narrow edge portions of the blank, out from the outermost score lines 8,`are the attaching ilaps 26, and each flap 28 has end lugs 21 to match the portions of the projections 3 at each end of the spaces 28 to which the ilaps 28 are to .-be attached.

To assemble* the blank in collapsed or knock-v down condition as shown in Fig. 2, it is folded in one direction on the median line 2, and in the opposite direction on the lines 8. This brings the outer side walls I2 to overlie the bottoms I8, and the sets of partitions I8 and end walls 22 and 24 to overlie the inner walls 49, with the attaching iiaps 28 and their end lugs 21 against the inner wall portions 28 and their end projections 3. The end lugs 21 have notches 4a in their'inner edges to register with the notches 4 of the projections 3. The portions 28 and 21 are attached to the portions 28 and 3 preferably by means of a suitable adhesive, and this'is the only attachment required to be made in the assembly.

To set up the container I for use, from its collapsed or knock-down condition to its condition as shown in Fig. 4, -the collapsed structure isA squeezed transversely so that it bends on the score lines 5 and 1 in the same direction as the bends on the score lines 8, and bends on the flaps 28, in the opposite direction, as shown in Fig. 6, until the side walls 9 and I2 are at right angles with the bottoms I0 and .the inner walls 9 are lying parallel with each other and substantially contacting together. 'Ihe attached together portions 28 and 28 now form an upstanding ridge of four thicknesses of`material, along the top of the container fromv end to end thereof, with extensions of the same thickness at the ends, formed by the attached together end lugs 21 and projections 3, which have their registering notches 4 and `4a opening downward.

'I'he assembly of this inner container I is completed by bringing the partitions 'I8 and end walls 22 and 24 into positions at right angles with thebottoms I8, by bending them down on the transverse score lines I8, which drags the tabs I9, 23, and 25 along the bottoms I8 until these tabs pass into the respective slots II of the bottoms I8, which they will do without special attention. It is found in practice that the partitions I8 and right hand end walls 22 will thus insert their tabs I9 and 23 into the slots II when the partitions and end walls are pressed down by the insertion ofthe eggs. It will be seen, therefore, that the setting up and filling of the containers is very simple. The parts mutually brace and maintain the container in shape, and the triangular parts I1 and partition portions at the sides of the recesses 28 are slightly springy, to enga-ge over the wider portions of the eggs, preventing them from tilting in their compartments.

In Fig. 7 the outer container blank 29 has parallel score lines 39, 3l, 32, and 33 from end to end, forming, in order named from left to right, a side wall 34, a bottom l35, .a side wall 36, a cover 31, and a cover flap 38. The ends 39 -project froml the bottom 35 and`widen outwardly, and have notches V46 in their outer edges, at their middles. Front end flaps 4I project from the ends of the front wall 34, and rear end flaps 42 project from the ends of the rear Wall 36. Score lines 43, 43a and 43h extend across the junctions of the ends 39, and end iiaps 4I and 42 with the bottom 35 and walls 34 and 36, respectively. Cuts 44 extend in along the score line 32, and diagonal score lines 45 extend from the inner ends of the cuts 44 to the adjacent comers of the bottom 35. Diagonal score lines 48 extend from the front corners of the bottom 35 to the left edge of the blank. v

The container 29 is assembled in collapsed o knock-down condition by folding the end walls 39 in upon the bottom 35,Aand then folding the triangular corner portions of the front and rear walls, on the score lines 46 and 45, to bring their flaps 4I and 42 over the infolded end walls 39, to which the flaps are secured, preferably by adhesive. The cover 31"and its flap 38 is then folded on the score line 32 to lie over the parts folded in at the ends. The container 29 is set up. for use simply by raising the cover 31 and its ap 38 from these end partslandpulling out-I wardly and upwardly on the end walls 39, causing folding at the score. lines 43a and 43h of the ront and rear Walls and their aps and a grightening at the diagonal score'lines 45 and and a raising of the front and rear Awalls 344 and 38, so that they and thefend walls 39 stand up from the bottom, with the end walls 39 at right angles to the bottom but with the side walls slanting outwardly in their upward extent from the bottom 35. The front wall 34 is n ot as high as the rear wall 38 and end walls 39.

rso

outermost score lines 8 next to theA attaching The parts are so proportioned that when the 7 5 inner container l is set into the outer container 29 the front and rear bottom corners of the inner the front and rear walls 34 and 36 will be even with the outer walls I2 of the inner container, and the ends of the inner container walls 9 and I5 and bottom I0 will fit `snugly against the end Walls 39 of the outer container, with the inner container end walls 22 and 24 spaced in from the outer container end walls 39. The cover flap 36 goes into ythe space between the front wall 35 of the outer container and the adjacent outer wall l2 of the inner container, and the cover 31 is supported by the ridge formed by the attachment of the inner container parts 28 and 26, so as to be spaced up from the top of the inner container.

The diverging walls 34 and 36 o-f the outer container hold the inner container l up so that there is a space between its bottom I 0 and the bottom 34 of the`outer container. The partition lugs I9 projecting4 below the inner container bottom IU do not necessarily contact'with the outer container bottom 35 normally, but they act as stays to limit upward bending of the bottom 35. It is seen, therefore, that on all of the six sides of the inner container the outer container walls are spaced from the inner container and are well stayed or braced against inward. collapse. This provides an eiective cushion entirely around the inner container I.

I have described my invention speciiically as designed and proportioned for a certain specific use, but it will be understood that modifications creasing in width between its bottom and its top,

and an inner container with l its lower edges seated against portions of the sides of the outer container where said outer container increases in width, with the bottom walls and side walls of the two containers spaced apart, said inner container having a stiienin'g member on itstop, and

a closure for the outer container having a. portion.

prevented by said ridge from yielding toward the inner container.Y

3. In an egg carton, an outer container increasing in width upwardly between its bottom and its top, and an inner containerwith its. lower edges against portions of the sides of the outer container where said outer container increases in width, and the ends of the containers having parts engaging together near their tops, wherebythe inner container is supportedin the outer container with the,bottom Walls and side walls of the two containers spaced apart, and aclosure for the outer container.

4. In an egg carton,- an outer container-increasing vin width upwardly between its bottom and its top, and an 'inner container with its lower edges against portions of the sides of the outer container whereby the inner container is supported in the outer container by thel side walls of the outer container, with the bottomv and side walls of the two containers spaced apart, the inner container having its end walls set inward from the ends of its'side walls and spaced from the end walls of the outer container by the ends of said side walls, and a closure for the outer container.

'5. In an egg carton, an outer container in- I creasing in .Width upwardly between its bottom and its top, and an inner container comprising two longitudinally extending sections with their adjacent side walls connected together, members directly and positively connecting these side walls with the opposite side walls, and cross partitions folded down from said members, said inner container having its lower edges seated against por' tions of the sides of the outer container where said outer container increases in width, and a kclosure for the outer container.

6. In an egg carton, a container comprising two longitudinally extending sections with their adjacent side walls connected together, members folded across from the opposite side walls and attached to the respective adjacent walls, and cross partitions folded down from said members.

7. In an egg carton, any outer container increasing in width between its bottom and its top and having notches in the upper edges of its end Walls, and an inner container comprising two longitudinal sections with their adjacent side walls connected together at their tops, members folded across from the tops of the opposite side walls and attached to the upper parts of the respective adjacent walls, and cross partitions folded down from said members, said upper parts of the adjacent side walls and the parts of the folded-across .members attached thereto having extensions at their ends entering the respective end wall notches of the outer container, and a cover for the outer container.

8. Inan egg carton, an outer container increasing inA width between its bottom and its top, and aninner container comprising two longitudinal sections with their adjacent sidewalls connected together at their tops, members folded across froml the tops of theopposite side walls and having edge parts turned up and attached to the upper parts of the respective adjacent walls, and cross partitions folded -down from said members, and a cover for said outer container having a portion prevented by the at-` tached parts of the adjacent walls and cross members from yielding toward said inner convand cross partitions folded down from said members, each end wall of the outer container having a notch in its upper edge and the attached upper parts of the adjacent side wallsv and cross members of the inner container having extensions at their ends entering the respective 'end Wall notches of the outer container, and a cover for the outer container having a portion prevented by the attached parts of said inner container walls and cross members from yielding toward said inner container.

10. In' an egg carton, a container consisting of a single sheet having a median longitudinal fold and at least three parallel folds at each side of said median fold, forming adLiacent side walls, bottom walls, outer side walls and top cross extensions, said cross extensions having their outer edges attached to the respective adjacent walls near said median fold, and having cross partitions cut therein and folded down therefrom.

11. In an egg carton, a container consisting of a single sheet having a median longitudinal fold and at least four parallel folds at each side of said median fold, forming adjacent side walls, bottom walls, outer side walls, top cross extensions and' 'being attached to the respective adjacent walls near said median fold, and said cross extension having partitions cut therein and folded down therefrom.

l2. In an egg carton, a container consisting of a single sheet having a median longitudinal fold and at least three parallel folds at each side of said median fold, forming adjacent side walls, bottom walls, outer side walls and top cross extensions, said cross extensions having their outer edges attached to the respective adjacent walls near said median fold, and having cross partitions cut therein and folded down therefrom, said cross partitions having tongues on their lower edges and said bottom walls having openings receiving said tongues.

13. In an egg carton, a container comprising a bottom and side walls, a member folded across from the top of one side wall and having its edge attached to the upper part of the` other side wall, and cross partitions cut in and folded down from said member, each cross partition having its lower corners omitted leaving intact portions in the corners of the space from which the partitions are cut, and having a tongue on its lower edge, one partition being joined to the sidewalls by said intact portions of the next adjacent space and having a recess in its top edge from which the tongue of the next adjacent partition is cut, whereby eggs can fit between` side edges of the recesses, and said bottom wall having openings receiving the respective tongues.

14. In an egg carton, a. container comprising a substantially at bottom and also comprising side walls, a member folded across from the top of one side wall and having its edge attached'to the upper part of the other side walll cross partitions cut in and folded down from said member,

, each cross partition having a tongue extending from its lower-edge and having its lower corners cut so as toform upwardly diverging edges adjacent thereto, and to leave intact portions in said f corners joining the next adjacent partition to the side walls, said bottom wall having openings receiving the respective tongues with the diverging edges abutting the ends of said openings.

15. In an egg carton, an outer container comprising a single sheet folded on parallel lines to form a bottom wall and side walls and having end walls extending out from said bottom and end aps extending from said side walls and folded across the container and attached to said end walls, said side walls having diagonal folds from their lower corners to their upper edges, the end walls to be folded inward with their side Walls vextended outward, and an inner container fitting in the set upouter container in abracing relation thereto for preventing inward collapse of the end walls and thereby limiting outward move.

one side wall and having cuts extending in along the cover hinge from each end thereof, and having end walls extending from said bottom and end aps extending from said side walls, said container being assembled in collapsed condition by folding the end walls and triangular corner parts of the side walls across the bottom and attaching the end iiaps to the end walls, the triangular parts of the rear walls being permitted to fold in by said cuts with the side walls remaining extended outward and the end walls folded inwardly, Said container being set up for use by pulling theend walls outward, causing the end aps to fold on the side walls and straightening said corner parts on the side Walls and pulling the side walls inward and upward, an inner container fitting in the set up outer container with bearings on the side and end walls thereof preventing the inward collapse of the `end walls, thereby limiting outward movement -of the side walls of the outer container, said inner container having downwardly extending tongues holding said inner container up from the bottom of the outer container.

1'?r In an egg carton, an outer container comprising a single sheet folded on parallel lines to form a bottom and side walls and having end walls extending from said bottom and increasing in width from the bottom outward, having end flaps extending from said side walls and folded across the container and attached to said end walls, said side walls diverging upwardly in conformity with the shape of the end walls, said side walls having diagonal folds from their lower corners to their upper edges, allowing the end walls to be folded inward with its side walls extended outward, an inner container fitting in said set up outer container having lower edges seating against the respective diverging side walls of the outer container and thereby preventing the inward collapse of theend walls and thereby limiting outward movement of the side walls of the outer container, said container having tongues intermediate said lower edges spacing the bottom of said container from the bottom wall of said outer container. and a cover for said outer container.

SAMUEL BERGS'I'EIN. 

